Table of Contents

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Metal Thermal Conductivity

Broad Question

Specific Question

Variables

Independent Variable:

Dependent Variable:

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

Hypothesis

Graph of Hypothesis

Experimental Design

Materials List

Detailed Procedure

Background Research

References

Data table and Graphs

Photos

Data Analysis

Conclusion

Discussion

Metal Thermal Conductivity

Broad Question

What materials have the best resistance against heat and cold?

Specific Question

Out of Titanium, MP35N, Brass, Aluminum, and Low-carbon Steel, which have the best resistance to heat and cold?

Variables

Independent Variable:

The material and test.

Dependent Variable:

The temperature change, to be measured in Degrees Celsius.

Variables That Need To Be Controlled:

The test setup and procedure, distractions, unplanned influence on the material or test.

Hypothesis

My hypothesis is that MP35N will have the best heat resistance, and Titanium the best cold resistance.

Graph of Hypothesis

Experimental Design

In a total of 10 trials, I will drop each material into each it's own cup of near-0°C water in one set of trials, and into each it's own cup of 100°C water in another set of trials. I will take the materials out after five minutes and after 10 minutes and measure the material temperature with a temperature gun. I can use a stove to heat the water and I have a fridge to cool it. There will be five materials: Titanium, MP35N, Brass, Aluminum, and Low-carbon Steel.There will be ten trials, one for each material per set of tests. We are all required to record our data on some sort of table, so mine is on an editable Google document. I will conduct each trial experiment, then I will record data after every trial. I shall take pictures as proof of the experiment.

Materials List

• 1 Titanium F rod
• 1 MP35N Ring
• 1 Low-Carbon Steel FH Bolt
• 1 Brass Bushing
• 1 Aluminum Flashing
• Infar Red / Sonic Measurer
• Pot
• Stove or other heater
• Freezer or other cooler
• Computer
• Styrofoam cups

Detailed Procedure

1. Weighed and recorded base temperature of each material.
2. Immerse each material in a styrofoam cup and add 0°C water into each cup. Place each cup in fridge for 5 minutes.
3. Record results.
4. Place cups into fridge for 10 minutes.
5. Record results.
6. Immersed materials in cups of 100°C water for 5 minutes.
7. Record results.
8. Pour more water to heat up existing supply, let sit for 10 minutes.
9. Record results.

Background Research

• Titanium has a thermal conductivity of -11.11.
• Aluminum has a thermal conductivity of 118.
• MP35N has a thermal conductivity of 100.25°C.
• Heat affects an objects only if the objects are not of equal temperature.
• Fresh Water has a thermal conductivity of -17.439444444444444°C.
• Thermal Conductivity (λ) is amount of heat passing in unit time through unit surface in a direction normal to this surface when this transfer is driven by unite temperature gradient under steady state conditions.
  Thermal conductivity may be expressed and calculated from the Fourier’s law:
  ΔQ/ Δt = λ*S *ΔT/ Δx
  Where
  Q -heat, passing through the surface S;
  Δt - change in time;
  λ - thermal conductivity;
  S - surface area, normal to the heat transfer direction;
  ΔT/Δx-temperature gradient along x – direction of the heat transfer.
  Fourier’s law is analogue of the First Fick’s law, describing diffusion in steady state.
  Compare:
  λ of alumina = 47 BTU/(lb*ºF) (6.3 W/(m*K)).
  λ of Al = 1600 BTU/(lb*ºF) (231 W/(m*K)).

References

• "Common liquids and their thermal conductivity." Thermal Conductivity of Common Liquids. The Engineering Toolbox, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. <http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-conductivity-liquids-d_1260.html>.
• McCarthy, Rose. The Laws of Thermodynamics. First Edition. 29 East 21st Street, New York, NY: The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., 2005. Print.
• "Thermal conductivity of some common metals." Thermal Conductivity of Metals. The Engineering Toolbox, n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-conductivity-metals-d_858.html.

• MixedMetals_mayFt.JPG
  
  
• styrofoam‑cup‑thumb14196359.j

Data table and Graphs

Look at tables/graphs by clicking the blue words above.

Photos

Testing

All of it

Infa-red/sonic measurer

Data Analysis

Conclusion

The original purpose of this project was to find the best insulating metal against heat and cold. The results of this experiment were that, in hot water after 5 minutes, titanium had reached a temperature of 16.4°C, MP35N reached a temperature of 26.5°C, low-carbon steel reached a temperature of 19.8°C, brass had reached a temperature of 16.4°C, aluminum reached 20.2°C. After 15 minutes in the hot water, the titanium had reached a temperature of 21.5°C, MP35N had reached 28.5°C, low-carbon steel reached 21.8°C, brass reached 27.3°C, aluminum reached 30°C. In cold water for 5 minutes titanium reached 15.1°C, MP35N reached 13.5°C, low-carbon steel reached 12°C, brass reached 14.4°C, aluminum reached 16.5°C. After 15 minutes titanium 14.3°C, MP35N reached 12.4°C, low-carbon steel stayed at 12°C, brass reached 13.2°C, and aluminum reached 14.8°C.

Discussion

My hypothesis was that MP35N would have the best heat resistance, while titanium would have the best cold resistance. My results do support my hypothesis, but not as much as I had thought. The metals had gradually risen in temperature until heat was equalized, some faster than others. I believe the tests went smoothly, as I was able to conduct the experiment without failure or complications. If I were to improve the experiment, I would use a better insulating material container. I would also use a hollowed-out ball of the material, with a transmitter, to measure and record the temperature of the material. I would then drop it into the water to see how long it would take with continuous exposure to heat or cold, to equalize temperature.
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSq31ZKoHDhGgAjlich-c3Lf8lh3m6n42YOYJoNGf58EKQC0Wuu